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PHYS51645: Particle Physics

It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.

Type Tied
Level 5
Credits 45
Availability Not available in 2024/2025
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Physics

Prerequisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations of Modules

Aims

  • Critical understanding of the paradigms, fundamental ideas, the calculational methods and the experimental underpinnings of modern theoretical particle physics through several topics taught at MSc level.
  • Ability in applying the theoryand practice of this knowledge to standard and novel problems or inexplaining fundamental aspects of particle theory.
  • Provide an overview of all aspects of modern particle theoryand in particular its phenomenology at current and future experiments.

Content

  • Introductory Field Theory
  • Introductory Quantum Field Theory
  • Quantum Electrodynamics
  • Standard Model
  • Quantum Chromodynamics
  • Effective Field Theories and Flavour Physics
  • Astroparticle and Neutrino Physics
  • Higgs Physics

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Knowledge in the topics of the lectures, and the relevant ideas andtechniques.
  • Understanding of the interplay across different topics

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Specialised and highly advanced calculational skills in the areasstudied
  • Solving complex, novel and specialised problems, draw conclusions anddeploy physical intuition, with minimal guidance

Key Skills:

  • Problem solving, written presentation of an argument
  • Ability to learn actively and reflectively, to develop intuition, and theability to tackle unfamiliar and complex new material
  • Self-organisation, self-discipline and self-knowledge
  • Responsible research

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures in Introduction to Field Theory246 per week60 minutes24 
Lectures in Introductory Quantum Field Theory82 per week60 minutes8 
Lectures in Quantum Electrodynamics123 per week60 minutes12 
Lectures in Standard Model123 per week60 minutes12 
Lectures in Quantum Chromodynamics123 per week60 minutes12 
Lectures in Effective Field Theory and Flavour Physics123 per week60 minutes12 
Lectures in Neutrino and Astroparticle Physics123 per week60 minutes12 
Lectures Higgs Physics123 per week60 minutes12 
Self-study346 

Summative Assessment

Component: CourseworkComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Introduction to Field Theory, Introductory Quantum Field Theory, Quantum Electrodynamics, Standard Model60 
Select equivalent of 32 lectures from Quantum Chromodynamics,Effective Field Theories and Flavour Physics, Neutrino and Astroparticle Physics, Higgs Physics40 

Formative Assessment

Through unmarked homework

More information

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